Democratic Senate Coalition Calling for Passage of a Bonding Bill After the 2024 Session Ended Without One

(KNSI) — St. Cloud area Senator Aric Putnam and others in the Senate DFL Blue Dog Coalition are calling for a bipartisan bonding bill to support job-creating infrastructure projects across Minnesota.

The 2024 legislative session ended with no bonding bill, which left many small towns – who rely on state funding to help with infrastructure projects – out in the cold.

The Coalition believes quickly passing a bonding bill to meet those needs is top priority as project costs increase over time.

Senator Sandy Pappas, Co-Chair of the Senate Capital Investment Committee, who will guide the bonding bill through the Senate, shared the following statement:

“Bonding bills are among the best investments we can make for Minnesota’s future. When we invest state funds in projects like roads, bridges, and drinking water systems, we create thousands of well-paying jobs and ensure our communities have the infrastructure they need to thrive. As legislators, we must fulfill our responsibility to provide the resources that keep Minnesotans safe, healthy, and economically secure. We cannot afford more gridlock at the Capitol, which has led to a backlog of essential projects. I call on my fellow legislators to come together and get our infrastructure projects back on track.”

Even with a DFL trifecta, gridlock at the Capitol led to the session ending with no bonding bill. The political impasse in the House is also hindering work this time around as Democrats are refusing to show up, denying the GOP, who has a one seat majority, a quorum. In the Senate, which has an even split between Democrats and Republicans are still able to conduct business in a power sharing agreement. The tie in that chamber is due to the passing of Senator Kari Diedzeic who died after a battle with ovarian cancer.

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